The Border Guard, Memorial Day 1992 Stamp

This stamp was issued in April, 1992 – At its inception, in 1950, the Border Guard consisted on less than one hundred men and was a branch of the Israel Defence Forces. In 1951 the unit was transferred to the police and reorganized into three squadrons. Members of the Border Guard were volunteers, inducted into permanent service. Even as a branch of the police, the Border Guard was always military in character. They served as security forces along the borders and later in charge of the war against terrorist acts in the country and restoring order. The force earned a place of honour on the security map of the State of Israel and on a hill covered with carob trees, near the western turn off to Nahal Eiron Road, a monument has been erected to the men of the Border Guard who have fallen in action. Wide steps lead up to the monument square. On the left stands a long, sculptured wall engraved with hills and deserts, symbolizing the “Border”. At the end of the wall is the memorial. On the east on on the south, five stone walls close off the square. Basalt stone from Galilee, chalk stone from the Jerusalem hills and granite from the hills of Eilat represent the diversity of Border Guard service. The “Wall of Flowers” is on the north and the following inscription from Jeremiah 15:20 is engraved upon it: “And I shall give thee to this nation as a fortified wall of copper, and those who fight thee will not succeed”. This quotation is a fitting tribute to the unique men of the border Guard. The focal point of the monument is found where the Border Wall and the Flower Wall meet, here an observation tower has been built.

At the heart of the tower stands a room upon whose walls are inscribed the names of 206 men who fell in action. An eternal torch burns at the centre of the room. At the top of the observation tower there are metal maps which help one to observe the surrounding landscape. Intertwining trenches lead down from the tower, symbolizing the many trenches and desolate positions where Guard forces spend long nights. The stamp with an information sheet are enclosed in a plastic protection sheet.